What are the features of RDA?

Originally released in 2010, Resource Description and Access (RDA) is a modern cataloging standard that provides a flexible framework for describing all types of resources. It was developed to replace the older Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition (AACR2) and address the complexities of the modern digital information environment. Understanding the features of RDA is crucial for library professionals and anyone involved in metadata creation.

Quick Summary

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is a contemporary cataloging standard, successor to AACR2, designed for the digital world. It is user-centric, offers flexibility for various resource types, and is built upon internationally recognized conceptual models like FRBR. RDA facilitates linked data, allowing for richer, more interconnected bibliographic records and improved resource discovery.

Key Points

• Digital-First Design: RDA is specifically created for the digital age, accommodating a wide variety of electronic and online resources.

• User-Focused Framework: The standard is built around user tasks (Find, Identify, Select, Obtain), improving the user experience for resource discovery.

• Linked Data and Relationships: RDA is based on the FRBR conceptual model, emphasizing and clarifying the relationships between works, expressions, manifestations, and items.

• Flexible and Adaptable: It uses flexible guidelines and 'core elements' rather than rigid, prescriptive rules, enabling catalogers to apply professional judgment.

• Interoperable with Other Schemas: RDA records can be encoded using various schemas like MARC, Dublin Core, and ONIX, promoting broader data exchange.

• Web-Based Resource: The RDA Toolkit provides an online, hyperlinked platform for easy navigation, customization, and updates.

• Replaces AACR2: RDA is the successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition (AACR2), which was largely designed for the print-era card catalog.

Core Features of RDA

RDA, or Resource Description and Access, represents a shift in cataloging from older rule sets, focusing on a robust, flexible, and user-centered approach for describing information resources in the digital age.

Digital Environment Compatibility

RDA is designed to be compatible with the digital environment, supporting diverse media and ensuring interoperability across various platforms and communities through its compatibility with encoding schemas like MARC 21, Dublin Core, and ONIX. It is also structured to support linked data applications, connecting library data more effectively across the web.

Conceptual Model Alignment

The standard is based on IFLA conceptual models, including FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD. The FRBR model, which defines Work, Expression, Manifestation, and Item, is central to RDA's structure, enhancing resource discovery by clarifying relationships between different entities.

User-Centric and Flexible Approach

Centered on user tasks (find, identify, select, and obtain), RDA offers improved searchability and a more flexible application compared to previous standards. It uses 'core elements' to provide minimum data for resource identification, allowing catalogers to add more detail as needed.

Comparison Table: RDA vs. AACR2

Feature	RDA (Resource Description and Access)	AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed.)
Design Purpose	Digital environment, web-based metadata.	Card catalog, print materials.
Flexibility	Rules-based guidelines with professional judgment.	Highly prescriptive, rule-based.
Conceptual Model	Based on FRBR/FRAD entities (Work, Expression, Manifestation, Item).	Not based on FRBR; entities not explicitly defined.
Relationship Handling	Emphasizes relationships between entities, enabling linked data.	Limited handling of relationships.
General Material Designation (GMD)	Replaced by more granular Content, Media, and Carrier types (336, 337, 338 fields).	Used the GMD (General Material Designation), which was a mix of content and carrier information.
Metadata Encoding	Compatible with multiple schemas (MARC, Dublin Core, etc.).	Tied closely to MARC for implementation.
International Scope	Designed for an international, web-based context.	Strong Anglo-American bias.
User Focus	High emphasis on user tasks: Find, Identify, Select, Obtain.	Primarily focused on the cataloging process itself.

Web-Based and Collaborative

The RDA Toolkit, the web-based platform for RDA, facilitates collaborative work through features like hyperlinks, customization for local policies, and ongoing updates.

Conclusion

RDA's features offer a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to describing information resources in the digital age. Its use of conceptual models like FRBR, support for linked data, and a user-centric design enable the creation of richer, interconnected metadata. This improves resource discovery for users and enhances the relevance of library data in the broader web environment.

Further Reading

For more in-depth information on the structure and content of RDA, the official RDA Toolkit is the definitive source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of RDA?

The primary purpose of Resource Description and Access (RDA) is to provide a comprehensive and flexible standard for describing information resources in all formats, particularly digital ones, and to help users find, identify, select, and obtain the information they need.

How is RDA different from AACR2?

RDA is more flexible, user-centered, and digitally oriented than AACR2, which was designed primarily for print materials. RDA also uses the FRBR model to define relationships between resources, while AACR2 did not explicitly address these concepts.

What is the FRBR model and how does it relate to RDA?

FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) is a conceptual model that defines the entities 'work', 'expression', 'manifestation', and 'item'. RDA is built upon this model to structure bibliographic data and represent the relationships between resources, which enhances resource discovery for users.

What does it mean that RDA supports linked data?

By supporting linked data, RDA moves bibliographic information from isolated records towards a more interconnected web of information. The standard is structured to create and express relationships between entities, allowing library data to be shared more effectively across the web.

What are 'core elements' in RDA?

'Core elements' are the minimum set of data elements required by RDA to uniquely identify a resource. This approach allows for efficient cataloging while still providing enough detail to distinguish a resource from similar ones.

Does RDA mandate ISBD punctuation?

No, RDA does not require the use of ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description) punctuation. This marks a shift away from the strict formatting rules of AACR2, allowing for more flexible data presentation.

What are the advantages of a web-based RDA Toolkit?

The web-based RDA Toolkit allows for continuous updates to the standard, easy navigation through hyperlinks, and the ability for institutions to integrate their own local policies and procedures. This makes the standard more dynamic and adaptable.